Walking On - Thomas Michael Sell

Thomas Michael Sell
May 10, 1956 – Dec. 8, 2014

Thomas Michael Sell of Grand Ronde died Dec. 8, 2014, at the age of 58. He was born May 10, 1956, to Joseph and Emma (LaBonte) Sell in McMinnville, Ore.

Thomas grew up most of his early years in Turner, Ore., and made the high school wrestling team. Later he moved to Salem, Ore., and the surrounding areas of the Willamette Valley before settling in Grand Ronde.

Mr. Sell worked for various agricultural companies as a laborer and for a metal recycling facility (Coleman Metals). Thomas had been married twice, first to wife Jackie Covatch and second to Tammy Helton; both the mother of his wonderful children.

Thomas will be missed by all. He was known for his quirky sense of humor, tolerant attitude and ability to give guidance to those who wanted it. He loved people and his family very much and enjoyed spending time with them. He also enjoyed working on cars, singing, dancing, the sun, the outdoors and, in his younger years, wrestling and weightlifting in which he was second in the nation for his weight class.

Thomas is survived by his children, Sean, Thomas, Joseph and Tanya Sell; sisters, LaVeta Sell, Marlena Lancour, June Sherer, Nancy Coleman and Theresa Haller; brothers, Bill and Wayne Sell; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his parents and foster son, Zach Helton.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at the Grand Ronde Tribal gym in Grand Ronde, Ore. Interment will be in the Grand Ronde Tribal Cemetery.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family.